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Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster
Solar AB1.7
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Playability
72
Sound
74
Build
69
Value
57
Score
72
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Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
75
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster vs Solar AB1.7

Reasons to Get
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster over Solar AB1.7

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Number of Frets
21 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Vintage vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Graphite
Good quality nut with rich tone
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HS
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Evertune
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Solar AB1.7 over Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2020 vs 1996
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Vintage
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Parallel Split vs None
Connects pickups in parallel to brighten tone
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Pickups
HS vs SSS
High output with bright neck cleans
Number of Frets
24 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Evertune vs Fixed
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
75 vs 57
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster vs Solar AB1.7

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat vs Duncan Solar/Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat vs Duncan Solar Stacked Single Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs R7
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster vs Solar AB1.7

Body Wood
Alder
Same Body Wood
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Prices

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Solar AB1.7 Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Solar AB1.7 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The Solar AB1.7 wins when it comes to sound, playability, value for the money. On the other hand, the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Solar AB1.7
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender Custom's 1996 Custom Artist series
  • Robert Cray Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Select Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Strat Hardtail bridge
  • 1961 C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Vintage frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Solar AB1.7 Overview

  • From Solar's 2020 Type AB series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar Stacked Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune F-Type bridge
  • Solar C Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Woods Used in the Solar AB1.7

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Winner: Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster has an SSS configuration while the Solar AB1.7 has HS pickups.

SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

On the other hand, An HS configuration gives you a bridge pickup with a lot of output for playing distortion parts, but you'll also have the bright sound of a Tele or Strat neck pickup for your clean tones.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster gives you 5 switch options while the Solar AB1.7 gives you 3. This means that the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Solar AB1.7 comes with some kind of pickup modification: Parallel Split.

The Parallel Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in parallel. When wired in parallel, the result is a very bright tone. This is the wire technique used in most Stratocaster guitars, and it's what gives them their signature transparent and clear sound. This is because the pickups' inputs and outputs are wired together, which reduces the signal's travel distance to the output jack.

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's switch options
Solar AB1.7 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Solar AB1.7's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Solar AB1.7.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 74
Solar AB1.7
Pickups 85
Sustain 75
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 82

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster compares to the Solar AB1.7.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster is built in United States while the Solar AB1.7 is made in Indonesia.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster has a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

On the other hand, the Solar AB1.7 comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

Winner: Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Solar AB1.7 is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Solar AB1.7.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Solar AB1.7's is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Solar AB1.7.

Tuners

The Solar AB1.7 has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Solar AB1.7.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar AB1.7
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Parallel Split Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster
Quality of materials 56
Features 50
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 69
Solar AB1.7
Quality of materials 61
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 69

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Nut Width
Solar AB1.7 Nut Width
Solar AB1.7 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar AB1.7 has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 6.1mm (0.24'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar AB1.7, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster and Solar AB1.7's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's neck profile
Solar AB1.7 Neck Profile
Solar AB1.7's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster and the Solar AB1.7 have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's Fingerboard radius
Solar AB1.7 Fingerboard Radius
Solar AB1.7's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Solar AB1.7's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Solar AB1.7.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Solar AB1.7 favors large hands more than the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster.

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Solar AB1.7:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's Frets Size
Solar AB1.7 Frets Size
Solar AB1.7's Frets Size

The Solar AB1.7 has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster's Vintage frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
Solar AB1.7
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster vs Solar AB1.7
General Fender Custom Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster Solar AB1.7
Brand: Fender Custom Solar
Year: 1996 2020
Configuration: SSS HS
Strings: 6 7
Made in: United States Indonesia
Series: Custom Artist Type AB
Colors: Purple, Gray White Matte, Silver Matte
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Select Alder Alder
Bridge: 6-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Strat Hardtail Evertune F-Type
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Solar 18:1 Locking Type
Fretboard: Rosewood Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: White Dot Solar Logo on 12th Fret
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: 1961 C Solar C Shape
Frets: 21 Vintage Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" 15.75"
Nut: Synthetic Bone Graphite
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 48mm (1.89'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Duncan Solar Stacked Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None Parallel Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1